“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” Matthew 5:46 We all hold tightly to our own definitions of love. And we choose to include people in our lives that fit that definition, that make us feel—at least temporarily—how we think […]
“Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day.” 1 Kings 8:61 We love to celebrate God’s grace. His love and mercy offer so much blessing we don’t deserve, we often find ourselves tempted to think our choices don’t matter. […]
Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” Exodus 33:18 Our hearts hunger for glory. We want God to show up and prove that He’s who He says He is. We long to see the miracles recorded for us in scripture. But we don’t want to have to participate. We’d rather sit back and watch God […]
I have to confess, the last several weeks have been hard. I’ve experienced all manner of emotions, walking alongside my mom and dad through her cancer diagnosis while simultaneously preparing my oldest son to leave for college. Joy mingles with tears. Hope battles fear. Thankfully, the Prince of Peace reigns. And as I seek His face, […]
After that you shall come to Gibeath-elohim, where there is a garrison of the Philistines. 1 Samuel 10:5a Scripture is packed full of hidden treasure waiting to be uncovered. I believe 1 Samuel 10:5 holds one of those valuable gems. At first glance, it doesn’t seem to offer anything too extraordinary. I passed over it […]
He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Psalm 107:20 I write today from the deep places of my soul. This world is sick, dear one, ravaged by the dominion of evil. Separation from our Creator has left us deeply wounded. Instead of life flourishing, it withers under sin’s […]
And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. Luke 6:33 “Don’t hate evil more than you love good.” I read those words in a Facebook post a few days after the Dallas shootings. A police officer had posted a […]
Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. Proverbs 25:25 ESV The Gospel is good news. Literally. That’s what it means. And it is good news. The cross of Christ changed everything, offering what nothing else can. Forgiveness. Redemption. Identity. Healing. Resurrection life. Restoration. Wholeness. Power. Transformation. Grace. […]
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. Isaiah 30:18 Most of us don’t like waiting, especially for the good things we desire. But we’ll do it when […]
Following Jesus isn’t getting any easier, is it? While God’s plumb line for distinguishing right and wrong has remained eternally the same, the world’s keeps changing. Things that our grandparents would have considered appalling have become commonplace. Acceptable. The lines have blurred, and so have our convictions. Dear one, allowing anything other than God’s truth […]
